Every Rose Has its Thorn *Limited* By Bean

Sarah chuckled. "Oh, I've never been able to eat much..."

He smiled. "You will here," he assured her, taking another bite.

Sarah smiled, finishing her meat. "If you say so..."

He smiled and ate heartily, enjoying that cheerful chatter of the other slaves as they ate.

Sarah ate silently as she listened to the other servants. They all talked very animated, which made her smile.

Eric listened silently, taking a sip of his wine every now and then.

Sarah ate the rest of her food then sighed, she was full.. No, more than full. She felt like she would explode. It had been a long time since she'd been given a full plate of food.

Deryk finished and sighed happily, sipping his wine. "How was it," he smiled at Sarah.

Sarah smiled. "It was absolutely wonderful. Thank you."

He smiled. "I'm glad you liked it. If you'd like, I can show you around the garden out back," he offered.

Sarah smiled with a nod. "That'd be lovely... I'd really like that."

He smiled. "Good. And if you're too stuffed to walk, I've got horses we could ride," he offered, standing, and pulling out her chair.

"Horses? Really? Hmm, I think that might need to be saved for another day.. I'd really love to see the garden..." She stood and smild, curtsying slightly. "And thank you, again."

He smiled and offered her his hand. "It's not a problem," he assured her. "There's no need to curtsy to me. I don't require it."

Sarah shrugged, sliding her hand softly into his. "Well, I guess it's just a form of respect..."

He smiled and led her out into the hallway, out the back door, and into the garden.

Sarah could smell all sorts of flowers but one particular one stood out. "Oh, I smell moon lillies..."

He smiled. "I let my slaves plant whatever they want in my garden. I think Karen is the one who planted those," he said, motioning towards the moon lillies.

Sarah smiled as she walked with Deryk, hand-in-hand. "Well, the're absolutely lovely, especialy in full bloom as they are now..."

"They are," he agreed, smiling. "I like to walk out here and check on them every day," he told her. "You're welcome to join me," he smiled.

Sarah smiled, her cheeks turning pink. "I'd like that..."

He smiled happily. "I'd like that, too," he said. He realized he liked Sarah. Maybe more than his other slaves.

Sarah smiled, her eyes skirting the garden. "So, you have roses... Do you have any red ones?" She was virtually color-blind at night, since the moonlight affected her sight dramatically.

"Yes," he said, motioning towards the large bushes behind the smaller rose bushes. "They're my favorite."

Sarah smiled the sweet smell of roses floating towards them. "I love roses..."